The Milwaukee Bucks never felt urgency to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo at the 2026 NBA trade deadline, according to Jamal Collier of ESPN.
Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will discuss their future again in the offseason.
“All of which resulted in the franchise, for the first time, listening to aggressive offers from a handful of teams at the deadline,” Collier wrote. “The Bucks still never felt the urgency to part ways with Antetokounmpo, team sources told ESPN. And, after yet another tension-filled transaction cycle, the Bucks still have aspirations of salvaging the Antetokounmpo era in Milwaukee.
“The two sides are putting discussions about the future of the franchise star on hold until the summer, sources told ESPN.”
Milwaukee signed former Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas after pulling Antetokounmpo from trade talks. Antetokounmpo has appeared in 30 games this season. He’s averaging 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. It’s unknown when the future Hall of Famer will return from his calf injury.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Antetokounmpo is making $54.1 million this season. He has a player option worth $62.8 million for the 2027-28 season. The Bucks can offer Antetokounmpo an extension this offseason.
The Bucks won the 2021 NBA championship against the Phoenix Suns. However, they have lost in the first round of the playoffs for three consecutive years.
The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors tried to trade for Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline. The Los Angeles Lakers are a “viable threat” to trade for Antetokounmpo this offseason, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line. In the offseason, the Lakers can offer up to three first-round picks to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo.
In addition, Los Angeles can absorb Antetokounmpo’s contract into cap space without Milwaukee having to take back potentially unwanted salary.
A top-75 player of all time, Antetokounmpo is a two-time MVP, one-time Finals MVP, one-time Defensive Player of the Year, and 10-time All-Star. He holds career averages of 24.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
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